Wicked Ridge vs TenPoint

Choose Wicked Ridge's Invader M1 De-Cock if price comes first: it costs $769 to $799 and measured 384 to 393 FPS. Choose TenPoint's Titan X De-Cock for $30 to $100 more if you want about 10 more FPS and a slightly tighter group. Step up to the Venom X or Phantom De-Cock for lighter weight or a shorter frame.

Wicked Ridge is TenPoint's value sub-brand. The Invader M1 shares the ACUdraw De-Cock crank concept and the Pro-View 400 scope with the Titan X. So this is less a brand fight than a question of how much TenPoint hardware you want to pay for. Every number below comes from my reviews.

Verdict by Reader Type

If you plan to hunt, do so only where legal; check your state's regulations before you buy.

How Wicked Ridge Relates to TenPoint

TenPoint owns Wicked Ridge. In my testing that shows in shared parts. The Invader M1 De-Cock uses the same core ACUdraw De-Cock crank concept and the same Pro-View 400 lighted scope as the Titan X De-Cock. Its crank lowered the string to rest across more than 40 logged cycles, matching what I measured on the Titan X's version.

The bolts share a family too. The Match 400 uses TenPoint-family components at a lower price than TenPoint's own CenterPunch HPX.

Crossbows Side by Side

The Phantom column needs a caveat. I did not chronograph it or take decibel readings on it. Its speed is TenPoint's rating with a 410-grain arrow. One outside test averaged 390.2 FPS.

Price and Value

The Invader M1 is the cheapest crossbow here. Against the Titan X De-Cock, the gap is $30 at the low end and $100 at the high end. My chronograph midpoints were about 388.5 FPS for the Invader and about 399.5 for the Titan X. That works out to roughly $3 to $9 per extra FPS.

Value scores were close: 9 / 10 for the Invader and 8.9 / 10 for the Titan X. The Venom X scored highest on value at 9.3, despite costing more, because it adds ACUslide and the lightest frame. The Phantom scored 8.5.

The step from the Titan X to the Venom X or Phantom is about $200 at the low end. You do not get more speed for it. You get less weight (Venom X) or a shorter frame (Phantom).

Speed and Energy

All four sit within a narrow band. My chronograph read:

• Titan X De-Cock: 395 to 404 FPS.
• Venom X: 385 to 394 FPS.
• Invader M1: 384 to 393 FPS.

The Titan X lists 146 ft-lbs of kinetic energy with a 400-grain arrow. TenPoint rates the Phantom at 146 ft-lbs with its 410-grain arrow. I do not have a listed energy figure for the Invader M1 or Venom X.

A 10 FPS gap will not change much in practice. Pick on cocking, weight, length and noise. For context on FPS figures, see how fast does a crossbow bolt travel.

Cocking and De-Cocking

All four can lower the string without firing, which matters when a sit ends with no shot. See how to de-cock a crossbow safely and the de-cocking entry.

The systems differ:

• ACUdraw De-Cock (Invader M1, Titan X, Phantom). A built-in crank cocking device. On the Titan X it cut felt effort to roughly 5 lbs from 190 lbs. The Invader's crank ran 40+ cycles without a failure, as did the Titan X's. The Titan X also passed a cold-morning check at 37°F.
• ACUslide (Venom X). TenPoint's integrated system, at its lowest price. It removed all manual effort in my testing and drew to the same point across 45+ cycles, including a 38°F morning.

None of these can realistically be hand-cocked if the system fails. Read how to cock a crossbow before your first session.

Noise

Noise is the clearest gap between Wicked Ridge and the pricier TenPoints.

On my decibel meter, both the Invader M1 and the Titan X were noticeably louder than TenPoint's dampened TX Ultra 26.5. Neither has string dampening. Their noise scores were 6.9 and 7.1.

The Venom X scored 8.4. The Phantom scored 8.5 and includes a string dampening system, but I did not take decibel readings on it.

If a quiet shot matters to you, the Wicked Ridge saving costs you here. The noise and vibration entry explains why.

Weight, Width and Length

• Lightest: Venom X at 6.9 lbs. It was measurably easier to carry over my 4-mile route than a heavier ACUslide crossbow.
• Shortest: Phantom De-Cock at 28.5 inches, and 8.4 inches cocked.
• Invader M1 and Titan X: both 33 inches and 9.75 inches cocked, at 7.1 and 7.3 lbs.

The Invader is actually 0.2 lbs lighter than the Titan X. If you hunt from a tight blind, the Phantom's 4.5-inch length saving over the Titan X is its whole reason to exist. My compact crossbows guide covers other short options.

Trigger and Accuracy

• Invader M1: D1 trigger. It broke cleanly across my pull-consistency sweep, with no perceptible creep.
• Venom X: two-stage, zero-creep trigger with a consistent 3.5-lb break and a roller sear.
• Phantom: two-stage, zero-creep, rated about 3.5 lbs, with a Dry-Fire-Prohibitor.
• Titan X: I did not record a pull weight.

Once zeroed, my 60-yard groups stayed inside 2.5 inches on the Titan X and Venom X, and inside 2.75 inches on the Invader M1. I did not measure Phantom groups. A quarter-inch at 60 yards is small. See the trigger system entry for what to feel for.

Scope and Package

The Invader M1, Titan X and Phantom all include the Pro-View 400 lighted scope. On the Invader and Titan X it held zero for my full three weeks and stayed usable in low light. The Phantom adds three Pro Elite 400 arrows, a quiver, a bow hanger and a string dampening system.

The Venom X specification I worked from does not list a scope, quiver or bolts. Budget for a scope unless your package includes one.

Warranty

The Invader M1, Titan X and Venom X each list 5 years on limbs and cams and lifetime on the trigger mechanism. So the Wicked Ridge model matches TenPoint here. The Phantom lists a Limited Lifetime Operational Warranty with an optional 5-year Elite Warranty. Confirm current terms before you buy.

Bolts: Match 400 vs CenterPunch HPX

I grouped both on the same crossbow at 20, 40 and 60 yards. The gap was minor at 20 and 40 yards and only marginally wider for the Match 400 at 60. Two Match 400 packs (12 bolts) cost about the same as one HPX pack (6 bolts).

Pick the HPX for the tightest tolerances. Pick the Match 400 for practice volume. Either way, use only the length and weight your crossbow's manual allows. My bolt selection guide and the FOC entry explain what to check.

Who Should Pick Which

Pick the Wicked Ridge Invader M1 De-Cock if you want a crank and de-cocking for the least money, and you can accept a louder shot.

Pick the TenPoint Titan X De-Cock if you want the same concept with about 10 more FPS and a 2.5-inch 60-yard group, for $30 to $100 more.

Pick the TenPoint Venom X if you carry a long way, want ACUslide and want a quieter shot than either crank model.

Pick the TenPoint Phantom De-Cock if a 28.5-inch frame matters more than price.

Related head-to-heads: see the wider brand picture in Ravin vs TenPoint, TenPoint's premium pair in TX Ultra 26.5 vs 29.5, and price tiers in best crossbows under $500 and $1,000. Browse the compound crossbows hub for the full field.